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Around the Circuit
Construction
Starts Rise 10.2%
in Quarter One
Norcross, Ga.-based Reed Construction Data recently
announced that construction starts, excluding residential projects,
increased 10.2% in the first three months of 2006 compared to the same
period in 2005. March 2006 starts, totaling $24.0 billion, were 40%
higher than in February, which was unusually weak due to bad weather.
The value of non-residential construction starts increased 16% in
full-year 2005 after several years of decline.
The largest gains
in starts so far in 2006 include increases of 127.5% for hotel/motel
work, a 28.4% increase for hospitals, 25.8% for private offices, 23.2%
for bridge construction, and 12.3% for retail buildings. Road/highway
construction starts are up only 2.8%, compared to the first three
months
of 2005.
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Web Site
Provides Tax Deduction Information for Lighting Upgrades
Rosslyn, Va.-based National Electrical Manufacturers
Association's (NEMA) Lighting Systems Division recently launched a Web
site for owners, specifiers, installers, and sellers of lighting
systems. The site provides implementation information about lighting
upgrades covered by the commercial buildings tax deduction provision of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) and contains a wide range of
frequently asked questions, process maps detailing compliance with
Standard 90.1-2001, and examples of projects that demonstrate how
target
reductions in lighting power can be achieved. The site also provides
descriptions of popular energy-efficient lighting strategies and
technologies, links to research studies, a directory of NEMA Lighting
Systems Division members, and additional communications resources. For
more information, visit NEMA's new Web site.
ASA Issues
Policy on Commissioning
Alexandria, Va.-based American Subcontractors
Association (ASA) recently adopted a policy on commissioning. The
organization describes the subcontractors' role in providing
construction owners with the information they need to operate and
maintain installed systems, appropriate warranty programs, and
perspectives on how well system performance compares to expectations.
The main points of ASA's policy state that subcontractors should ensure
that appropriate training and documentation on proper operation and
maintenance are delivered to the owner's personnel, whether or not they
are contractually specified; consider creating incentives for proper
operation and maintenance of their finished work, such as offering only
limited warranties of their work unless extended inspection and
maintenance programs are included in their contractual work scope; and
help manage the owner's performance expectations to ensure that they
are
realistic and not mismatched to the actual project specifications. To
download a pdf of ASA's policy, visit ASA's Web
site.
U.S. Army Adopts
LEED Rating System
The U.S. Army will transition from its own Sustainable
Project Rating Tool (SPiRiT) in use since 2002, to United States Green
Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design
(LEED) Green Building Rating System for the design and construction of
its buildings beginning in 2008. According to USGBC, the federal
government has been among the top users of its LEED rating system and
has also helped to develop and improve the rating system through
participation in USGBC member committees.
The U.S. Navy, Air
Force and General Services Administration, Department of Energy,
Department of State, and Department of Energy all reference and use
LEED
for the design and construction of their buildings. Of the LEED
projects
that are currently in construction, the Federal government owns 7%,
USGBC says. The Army says the goal of transitioning from the SPiRiT
rating system to LEED is an effort to integrate the principles and
practices of sustainability on its installations as they minimize the
impacts and total ownership costs of Army systems, materials,
facilities, and operations. The Army will be required to build all
their
new construction projects to the LEED Silver standard.
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Project Watch
New York State
Seeks Sealed Bids
for Electrical Work
New York State's Office of General Services, Design and
Construction Group, is currently soliciting bids for electrical work at
Building No. 24, Albion Correctional Facility, Albion, N.Y. A pre-bid
visit of the job site is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on May 5. Those
planning on attending the pre-bid meeting must contact Christine
Thompson at (585) 589-4854 a minimum of 72 hours in advance of the date
in order to attend. Bidding and contract documents are available on CD
by calling (877) 647-7526. The deadline for bids is 2 p.m. EST on May
10.
New York State's Office of General Services, Design & Construction
Group, is also currently requesting bids for electrical work for the
renovation of Building No. 19, Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn,
N.Y. A pre-bid visit of the project area will be held at 10 a.m. EST on
May 11. For assistance regarding the site visit, contact Sheila Smith
at
(845) 365-0730, ext. 101. Bidding and contract documents are available
on CD by calling (877) 647-7526. The deadline for bid submission is 2
p.m. EST on May 17.
California County
Requests Proposals for Prime Contractor
The Susan River Fire Protection District in Susanville,
Lassen County, Calif. is currently soliciting sealed proposals for a
prime contractor for the Johnstonville Fire Hall project. The scope of
work includes wiring of all electrical switches, plugs, lights, and
lighting fixtures. Specifications and plans may be reviewed and
obtained
at the office of NST Engineering, 1495 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA
96130. The deadline for bids is 2 p.m. PST on May 10.
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to select from a wide assortment of gear in B-Line's Great Gear
catalog.
To obtain a catalog and order forms, see your local B-Line distributor,
or visit our Web site at www.b-line.com
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Orlando, Fla.-based electrical contractor Terry's
Electric, Inc., was recently awarded a $6 million electrical contract
for Osceola County School District's new multimillion-dollar EEE High
School in Kissimmee, Fla. Turner Construction Co. is the general
contractor for the 350,000-square-foot facility, slated for completion
in July 2007. With $46.4 million annual revenue and more than 550
employees, Terry's Electric is Florida's fifth largest electrical
contractor. Originally established to serve the local community
following the opening of nearby Walt Disney World, the company also
operates branch offices in Tampa and West Palm Beach.
For more
business briefs, visit EC&M's Web
site.
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Eye on Safety
ASTM
International
Releases New Edition of Standards on Electrical Protective Equipment
for
Workers
West Conshohocken, Pa.-based ASTM International
recently
released the twelfth edition of "ASTM Standards on Electrical
Protective
Equipment for Workers." The volume, offered in print or CD-ROM,
includes
39 ASTM standards that help individuals choose the right tools,
equipment, materials, and test methods to protect workers from
electrical hazards. Topics include acoustic emission sensor response,
temporary grounding jumper assemblies, live-line and measuring
telescoping tools, and insulated hand tools. Copies of the revised
standard are available on the ASTM Web
site.
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information.
Shows and Events
LFI 2006
LightFair International, the largest annual
architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, will
take place at the Las Vegas Conference Center from May 30 to June 1.
This year's conference includes more than 240 hours of
CEU/LU-accredited
educational options on topics such as sustainable design, lamp and
ballast trends, lighting and security, ELDA+, and RGB composition. For
more information or to register, visit the LightFair Web site.
7x24
Exchange
Spring Conference
The 7x24 Exchange Spring Conference will be held in
Orlando, Fla., from June 4-7. This year's tutorial sessions and
presentation topics include basics of standby power generation,
monitoring milliwatts, test strategies for standby diesel engine
generators, and energy usage trends in data centers. For more
information and to register, visit the 7x24 Exchange Web site.
NFPA World Safety
Congress & Exposition
The National Fire Protection Association will present
its World Safety Congress & Exposition in Orlando, Fla., from June 4-8.
Technical sessions offered this year include presentations on the
standards for the installation of stationary fuel cell power systems,
signaling systems, sprinkler systems, and the electrical standard for
industrial machinery. Educational sessions will include topics such as
building and life safety, codes and standards, and the necforum,
focusing on electrical design issues, maintenance programs, best
practices in electrical contracting, effective inspection techniques,
and practical electrical safety programs. For more information or to
register, visit NFPA's Web
site.
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